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North Yorkshire Police has remained silent on why it closed a Harrogate town centre street yesterday.
Cordons were placed at either end of Back Cheltenham Mount on Friday, November 17.
Police also sealed off the steps on Cheltenham Mount and Kings Road that cut through Back Cheltenham Mount.
The steps on Kings Road
Officers at the scene would only say they were investigating a crime.
Residents were advised to remain indoors.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident last night but has not received a response, and the force has yet to publish any information.
We will give more details when they are available.
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Andrew Jones ‘embarrassed’ after car spotted without valid MOT
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has admitted failing to renew his car’s MOT on time.
The Stray Ferret received an email saying the former transport minister had been spotted outside Starbeck Library driving a diesel Jaguar XE which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency website said had an expired MOT.
The sender — who called themself Mrs T Neale, Lady Blueberry Blower of Ripon Town — sent photos of the vehicle in Starbeck and the results of an online search revealing the MOT had expired on October 3.
The person said they had contacted North Yorkshire Police, adding:
“Should this DVLA information be accurate, I would presume Mr Jones is therefore driving without valid insurance.
“The police have got back to me, telling me they are forwarding my information to the relevant department.”
Mr Jones admitted he was “embarrassed” by the oversight.
He added it wasn’t the first time he had been “covertly photographed” and that he found the behaviour “odd and slightly disconcerting”.
He said:
“I am grateful to the anonymous individual who reminded me via the media that my car’s MOT has expired. It is currently in my garage as this week I took the train to London as I like to do when diary commitments allow.
“I’m quite embarrassed by my oversight. The car is booked in for its MOT and all the relevant authorities informed and reassured accordingly.”
Mr Jones’ Jaguar pictured in Starbeck.
He added:
“It is odd and slightly disconcerting to know that I am being covertly photographed by an anonymous individual who sends these photos to the media under a pseudonym.
“This is not the first correspondence I and others have received from a person using this pseudonym. Previously they have sent me information about a political opponent, whom I informed of the communication, and also sent my office insinuations about a councillor even going as far as including a photograph of their home.
“Despite this strange behaviour, I remain grateful that I have been reminded about my MOT.”
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police if it was taking any action against Mr Jones.
A spokesperson replied:
“In line with the College of Policing national, authorised professional practice, we would not confirm the names of anyone who is or isn’t suspected of an offence, nor would we name anyone who may or may not have been issued with an out of court disposal such as a fixed penalty or caution.”
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Mercedes driver fined for clocking 151mph on A1 at Boroughbridge
A man who was caught driving at 151 miles per hour on the A1(M) at Boroughbridge has been fined and disqualified.
Jorden Jay Barwick, 22, of Magnolia Way, Sowerby, admitted being twice over the speed limit at a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.
Barwick was caught by a safety camera vehicle on the northbound carriageway at junction 48 on August 21 at 7.25pm.
North Yorkshire Police said his car, a Mercedes A45 AMG, was not displaying a front registration plate.
Officers used the images from the camera to trace the vehicle using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). The car was then stopped by a marked police car and the driver identified as Barwick.
The 22-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month disqualification and a £369 fine, he was also ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £196 victim surcharge.
Richard Fletcher, acting traffic bureau manager at North Yorkshire Police, said:
“Speed is involved in around one third of all fatal collisions, which is why it is important we identify and punish those caught speeding on the roads of North Yorkshire.
“Barwick showed complete disregard for the safety of other road users when he chose to commit these offences. In fact, the speed he registered on our camera was the fastest we have ever seen, and we were determined to bring him to justice.”
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Ripon residents call for driving instructors to stop engine idling
Residents of a Ripon street that is a favourite destination for driving instructors have raised concerns about vehicle emissions affecting their health.
Marjorie Sanderson and Geoff Haldenby (pictured), who are neighbours on South Grange Road, took their plea for assistance to Ripon City Council and councillors agreed to take action, in a bid to stop drivers parking near their houses and those of other residents with car engines running.
Mr Haldenby, who suffers from the lung condition pleural plaques, told the Stray Ferret:
“In the three years that I have lived here, I’ve had five bouts of pneumonia and that made me think that there may be a correlation between my worsening health and exposure to exhaust fumes.”
He added:
“Having spoken with Marjorie and other neighbours who are also concerned about the impact that emissions have on health, we decided to seek support from the city council and we were very encouraged by the response that we received.”
At Monday’s full council meeting, Ms Sanderson, pointed out:
“We have instances of driving instructors teaching other instructors, who park up on the road for long periods with their engines running, either to keep their cars cool in summer or warm in winter.
“This is a regular occurrence and with engine idling an offence under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, we want to see the law enforced.”
After approaches were made to North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe and North Yorkshire Council, Ms Sanderson and Mr Haldenby, contacted the city council and both spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Council leader Andrew Williams, said he was aware that many driving instructors use South Grange Road and other neighbouring streets on their training routes.
It was unanimously agreed that he would raise the issue of engine idling with both North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police and request that enforcement action is taken when an offence is committed.
The Royal College of Physicians estimate that 40,000 deaths per year in the UK are linked to air pollution, and engine idling contributes to this, because vehicles give off higher emissions when stationary than when they are moving.
A woman in her 70s has died after a collision in Harrogate.
The collision happened on North Park Road yesterday (November 13) at around 4.10pm.
It involved a pedestrian and a car. The driver of the car, a grey BMW 3-series, is helping officers with their enquiries.
A North Yorkshire Police statement issued this evening said:
“The pedestrian who was involved in a collision on North Park Road in Harrogate yesterday, a woman in her 70s, has very sadly died.
“The woman’s family have been informed of the news and are being supported by specially trained officers.”
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and dash cam footage of the incident.
A statement from the force added:
“Officers are renewing the appeal for information and are asking anyone with information or footage who hasn’t already come forward to contact the police. Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101.
“Please quote reference number 12230216084 when passing information.”
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Police warning amid treacherous driving conditions after Storm Debi
North Yorkshire Police have issued a warning after heavy rain has caused some flooding in areas of the Harrogate district and treacherous driving conditions.
Storm Debi caused strong winds and rain yesterday and overnight. A yellow weather warning was in place for much of the district.
Police were called to several incidents on the district’s roads, including flooding off York Road in Boroughbridge this morning and a car crashing into safety barriers on the A59 at Goldsborough at 11.12pm last night.
However, no serious injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, this morning Dishforth Road and Sharow Lane near Ripon has been reported as flooded.
The force’s control room recorded almost 100 incidents between 8pm last night and midnight, and a further 100 between midnight and 8am today, many of which were weather-related.
Officers have urged drivers to take care on the district’s road amid unexpected flooding and obstructions as a result of heavy rain.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“It’s been a busy night with a high number of weather-related calls. We’ve worked hard to keep people safe and keep traffic moving as best we can.
“Storm Debi has passed, but she’s left flooded roads, felled trees and other dangerous debris in her wake.
“So if you’re travelling by road today, be on your guard for unexpected flooding or obstructions, and please allow that little bit of extra time to arrive safely.”
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Woman in 70s seriously injured after Harrogate collision
A woman in her 70s has been seriously injured after a collision in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and dash cam footage of the incident which happened on North Park Road.
The woman, who was a pedestrian, was treated by paramedics and has been taken to hospital after being struck by a grey BMW 3-Series.
Police have also appealed for CCTV footage showing the grey BMW 3-Series in the moments before the collision, which was reported just before 4.10pm today.
A large section of North Park Road is currently closed to allow police to investigate.
Road closures are at junctions with Queen’s Parade, York Place, Harcourt Drive and other adjoining roads.
Officers said the roads are likely to stay closed for some time and police are advising motorists to use alternative routes.
A North Yorkshire Police statement said:
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has footage of the collision or the moments leading up to it, should email Traffic Sergeant Jon Moss at Jon.Moss@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Jon Moss.
“Please quote reference NYP13112023-0349 when sharing information.”
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Police release CCTV image after fight in Harrogate McDonald’s
Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a fight in McDonald’s in Harrogate.
The incident happened on Sunday, October 15, and involved multiple people fighting in the fast food outlet on Cambridge Road at 4.30am.
North Yorkshire Police has arrested two men, aged 19 and 31, in connection with the incident.
Now, officers have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to as part of their investigation.
A police statement added:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.
“Anyone with any information is asked to email benjamin.ambler2@northyorkshire.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12230195734 when passing on information.”
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Key witness appeal following sex assault in Harrogate public toilet
North Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to find a key witness follow a sexual assault in Harrogate.
The incident, which happened in the Victoria Shopping Centre toilets, took place on September 17.
A man and a woman entered a cubicle together and police believe the man in the image may hold important information.
The force said in a statement:
“The suspect in the case has been identified and officers want to stress that the man they want to trace is not a suspect, but a witness who may be able to provide vital information.
“A man and a woman went into public toilets in Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate, opposite the railway station.
“They were both followed into the toilet by the man in the image below. The man appears visibly surprised to see both the man and woman enter the male toilet together and may remember the incident.”
The statement added officers hope the man reads the appeal and gets in touch because he “may be able to provide key information that could assist their investigation”.
The police added:
“If you believe that you are the man, or you also saw a man and woman in the male toilets that day, please get in touch.
“Anyone with any information is asked to email lorraine.whipp@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, press option 2 and ask for Lorraine Whipp.”
Quote reference number 12230176639 when passing on information,
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Harrogate bar staff to be trained to prevent attacks on women
Harrogate hospitality workers are to receive training on how to make women feel safer in the town centre at night.
Zoë Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, announced today her office had been awarded up to £309,911 from the Home Office’s safer streets fund to improve safety for women and girls.
It will fund various initiatives, including vulnerability and spiking awareness training for staff employed in the nighttime economy in Harrogate.
The training aims to make women feel safer at night and tackle violence against women and girls.
The funding will also provide free video doorbells for repeat victims of domestic abuse and stalking.
The commissioner’s office has also secured up to £689,607 from the Home Office to prevent neighbourhood crime, most of which will be spent on security upgrades at homes and farms in and around Scarborough and York.
Ms Metcalfe said:
“Preventing burglary, tackling rural crime and improving safety for women and girls are priority areas within my police and crime plan and violence against women and girls strategy and these initiatives will have a real, tangible impact on how safe people feel both in and outside their homes.”
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